Package sealer



NOV- 18, 1930- n TT H` KRU'EGVR 1,782,123

PACKAGE SEALER Filed May 12. 1925 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR T HEODORE. H.' KRUEGER NOV. 18; 1930. TH, KRUEGER 1,782,123

PACKAGE SEALER Filed May 12, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 2.

Patented Nov.` 18, 193e UNITED s'lfxrasl THEODORE H. KRUEGER, OI NEW YORK, N. Y.

PAGKAGE'SALER Application led May 12,

This invention relates to tape servingdevices for sealing parcels, packages, boxes, and the like, and is in some respects similar to the taps serving devices disclosed in my prior copending applications Serial Nos. 661,168 and 696,907, filed September 6, 1923, and

- March 4, 1924, respectively.

The general purpose of such devices is to serve gummed tape from a source of tape supply, moisten the gummed side of the tape as it is served, deliver the tape in a positionconvenient for use, and sever thelength of tape delivered from the-tape supply.

It is manifestly desirable in a device of this character that the tape handling mechanism shall positively control the tape, and shall at the same time be free from all unnecessary friction. The tape gripping parts should be such that -the tape will not adhere to them when the gum becomes softened by exposure to a moist atmosphere. The guides or feeding mechanism which engage the edges of the tape should be avoided, since a slight difference in friction at opposite edges of the tape will interfere with straight and easy movement of the tape.

The device should also be arranged to accurately serve and cut strips of a predetermined length without the necessity for careful and painstaking manipulations, should be capable of accommodating strips of dif# ferent width, andY should comprise an ample water chamber. It is likewise important that the device be simple, rugged and compact.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one form of an invention by which the above and other desirable results are attained.

, In the drawings: y

Fi 1 is a side elevation of'a tape serving machine embodying my invention.

2 is a central `longitudinal sect-ion throughthe machine shown `in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section substantially on the line3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a) somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of the tape gripping and guiding mechanism.

Fig. 5 is aplan view of the machine, w1th the tape roll removed.

In the embodiment of the invention which vlocates the disk 16 centrally between the 1925. Serial No. 29,715.

has been illustrated, the machine comprises a frame l0, which maybe a one piece casting or may be formed by pressing or stamp` ingif desired, and which furnishes a support and container for other parts of the de'- 55 vice. As constructed, the frame comprises a pair of side members 10a extending the entire length of the machine, which are integrally connected by the end member 10b and the cradle portion `10c which forms a shallow no trough adapted to contain a roll of gummed tape 11, which may rest in the bottom of the trough, or may be centered between the disks 12 and-13 having reversely threaded connection with a transverse rod 14 passing through 65 the side members 10a and provided with a knurled head 15. By rotating the rod 14 the discs 12 and 13 may be simultaneously shifted toward or away from the center of the machine to receive and automatically i0 center the tape roll therein.

i The tape feeding device comprises a milled edged disk 16, loosely mounted on a transverse arbor 17, supported in the frame members 102% The disk 16 (see Figure 2) carries 7e a pawl 18, pressed by a spring 19 into engagement with a ratchet 20 fixed to the arbor 17. The ratchet 20 comprises an elongated boss 21 which, together with the spacing collar 22,

walls of the frame. The disk 16 is comparatively thin and light, and the tape is thus engaged only at a narrow strip near its center, the edges being left freef. This center pull at substantially a point on the tape, when the edges are left free, tends to automatically center the strip in the machine and to feed it forward in astraight line, thereby avoiding wrinkling and tearing of the edges of the tape, common in many meehines of this type in which the feeding means does not center the tape but feeds it forward in an oblique rather than a straight line. The lightness of the disk 16 also produces a low inertia, so that there is no feeding of the tape after the aotuating stroke, as is usually the case with machines of this type having heavy feed rollers, thereby making it possible to accurately measure the feeding of the tape by the hand lever ,23. .ice

An operating lever 23 is fixed to the `end of the arbor 17 which projects through one of the frame members The forward or tape feeding stroke of the lever is limited by one of the feet 24 which extend laterally from the frame, While its rearward or return movement is limited by a stop 25 adapted to be secured to the frame 10 in any one of a plural- .ity of positions. The stop which has been illustrated comprises a resilient buffer 25 encircling a screw 26, which vmay be applied to any of a plurality of threaded openings 27 along the arc of the lever 23. The lever-is returned to the stop 25 after each feeding stroke by a spring 28', suitably attached to the frame.

A table or guide plate 29 extends between the frame member ITO over the'disc 16 and is provided with a slot into which lthe knurled lstructed as follows. A knurled roller 34, loosely mounted on a rod 35 carried in the .tension of spring then assuming t ends of lthe arms of a yoke 36 engages the part of the knurled feed disk which extends through the slot 30 in plate 29. l

The yoke 36 is pivoted on a rod 37 supported in ears 38-39 rigid with the frame i members 10a. lThe yoke is urged to move roller 34, into contact with disk 16, or the tape passing over disk 16 by a spring 40 which is wound around rod 37 and secured at each end to the ears 38 and 39. I

A- tape flattening cover plate 41 which is pivoted on a rod 42 extending through the* arms of yoke 36 and slotted' at 43 to pass the roller 34, overlies the tape as it passes over the table 29. This plate prevents wrinkling or buckling of the tape, and insures its passage under the movable shear and over the moistening brush 52 which will be presently described. To move the roller 34 out of contact with the disk 16 to permit retraction of .the tape, theplate 41 may be rocked about its pivot to the position shown in Fig. 4, and used as a lever to lift roller 34 against the 40, the lever and the roller e positions shown'in dotted lines in Fig. 4" and leaving the tape free to be moved by hand as desired.

The means for cutting off the tape fed forward bythe operation of the feeding devices which have been described comprises a mov- :able shear 43,pivoted to an upstanding part 44 of'a shear plate 45 which is secured to the frame member 10n at the forward edge of the plate y29. The plate 45 overlies a plate 45."

aving an upturned extension 46 the purpose of which will be described later. A spring 46 engaging a lug 47 extending from the movable shear serves to retract said shear. A link 48 is pivoted to the free end of the movable shear, and a lateral extension of said link engages a slot 49 in a cam plate 50 pivoted to the frame. The end of the pivoted cam plate 50 opposite slot 49 extends into the path of movement of a lateral extension 51 of the lever 23. On the forward movement of the finger piece the cam plate 50 rocks idly on itsv pivot, the slot 49 moving over the end of link 48. On the return stroke of the lever the strip 51 rocks the cam 50 clockwise about its pivot to draw link 48 rapidly downward, and operate the shear to cut or chop off the lengthy of tape which was served on the forward stroke of the lever.

The tape moistening devices which have been illustrated comprise a brush52 adapted to rest in a water tank 53 and feed the water to its tip by capillary attraction. Beyond the shear the tape is directed onto a brush by the upturned integral extension 46 on the plate 454 passes over the end of brush 52, and is pressed into contact with the brushby a weighted plate 54 which is pivoted at 55. The water tank maybe removable or nonremovable. To provide an ample water supply the tank 53 is extended along each side of the feeding disk,16,'as illustrated in Fig. 3 and in the dotted: lines of Fig. 2, the disk occupying a slot between the two extending parts of the tank.

The operation of the device is as follows A roll of gummed tape being placed in position, the end of the tape is inserted between roller 34 and the edge of disk 16. To facilitate this operation roller 34-may be lifted, using plate 41 as a lever', if so desired. No

care need be taken that the roller and disk engage the center of the tape as the tape will very quickly center itself in use. Stop 25 is then adj usted so that one complete movement of the'lever 23 will serve the length of tape most frequently desired. Where the lever 23 is 110W drawn forward, ratchet 17 picks up the pawl 18 and rotates the knurled disk 16, thus feeding the tape past the brush 52 and out of the forward end of the machine. Near the end of its forward movement, the extension 51 of lever 23 engages and moves past the cam 50, the cam rocking freely on its pivot, thereby allowing extension 51 to get underneath cam 50. When its forward 1novement has been completed the finger piece is released, and is returned to initial position against stop 25 by spring 28, ratchet 17 passing idly over the pawl 18. On the return movement of the lever, the extension-51 engages and rocks cam 50drawing down the movable shear 43 to sever the tape. If a longer piece of the vtape is desired than is lio provided bythe adjustmentof the stop 25, the finger piece may be given' a number of partial strokes and finallyla full stroketo t-rip the cam 50 andoperate the knife 48,-

care being taken that the extension 51 does not pass the end of lever 50 until the desired length of tape has been served. Due to the lightness of the disk 16, the feeding of the tape stops when the forward motion of the lever 23 stops, and there is no overfeeding as with the heavy feed rollers of the prior art.

It will be noted that nowhere in its cour-se through the machine is the tape enclosed in surrounding guides and that the entire path of the tape through the machine can be laid open for-easy access for washing or cleaning any gummed or sticky surface by turning back the plate 4l and removing the tape from the machine.

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated 'and described in detail, it is to be 'understood that the invention and its various parts may take a variety of other forms, and the invention is to be construed as extending to all such forms falling within the scope of the appended claims.

l. In a gummed tape serving device an unguided path for the tape through the machine, a tape feeding means adapted to engage the middle lportion only of the tape to center and project the same through the machine, and a brush moistening element to uniformly apply a liquid to the tape as it emerges from the machine.

2. In a tape serving device, tape feeding means comprising a relatively narrow tape feeding disk of light weight adapted to engage the middle part only of the tape to center and project the same through the machine, and means for rotating said disk to feed the tape from said machine,f1neans to meisten the tape, and means to sever it as desired.

8. In a tape serving device, in combination, a tape receiving table', a relatively narrow tape feeding device projecting through a single central slot in said table, said tape feeding device serving to engage the tape and j center and project the same through the machine, means for actuating said tape feeding device, moans to moisten the tape as it is dispensed and means to sever the moistened tape.

i. In a gummed tape serving device, a tape receiving table comprising an arcuate extension adapted to form a path for the tape from the source of tape supply, a relatively light narrow tape feeding disk provided with a gripping edge extending through a single central slot in said table, said roller and disc serving to engage the middle portion of the tape to center and project the same through the machine,"a='roller adapted to press the tape'on said table into engagement with the knurled edge of said feeding disk, said roller and disk serving to engage the middle positionof the tape to center and project the same through the machine, and means to apply a uniform coating of moistener to the tape.

5. In a tape serving device, a strip receiving table, a. `tape feeding disk extending through a slot in said table, a presser roller adapted to press the central portion of the rtape into'engagement witlf the periphery of the disk to center and project the same through the machine, a tape flattening plate, said plate comprising means for lifting said presser roller out of contact with the tape or the feeding disk, means to moisten the tape as it is fed from the machine, and means to` sever the moistened from the unmoistened Vmeans for feeding the tape, presser roller carrymg means plvoted on said frame, a tapeV iiattening plate pivoted to said presser roller carrying means, cutting means adjacent said pivoted plate, and a moistening unit, provided With a moistening tank, anda brush to uniformly moisten the dispensed tape.

8. In a tape serving device, a tape feeding means comprising a relat-ivelythin disk having a serrated edge adapted to engage the middle portions only of the tape to center and project the same through the machine, an oscillating operating lever, a one way driving connection from said lever to saiddisk, a tape lcutting device, means whereby said tape cutting device is actuated by said operatlng lever, and a moistening device adapted to moisten the tapeafter it `has passed the cutting device.

9. In a tape serving device, tape feeding means comprising a thin disk adapted to engage the middle portion of the tape, and tape moistening means including a fluid tank :yhich partially surrounds said strip feeding isk.

10. In a tape .serving device,a strip feeding member adapted to engage the middle portion only of the tape to centerand guide the same, a reciprocating. lever operatively connected to said tape feeding member, an adjustable stop for limiting the return movement of said operating lever, and a spring for returning said lever to said' stop, a cutting blade operatedby said feeding lever and a moistening meansadjacent said cutting blade.

11. In a tape serving device the combination of a one piece frame comprising a tape loll receiving trough, a section. adapted to contain a tape'feeding disk, arcutting blade and a moistening fluid receiving tank, adjacent said cuttingblade comprising a Well having a re-entrant section adapted to receive a portion of Saidtape feeding disk.

12. In a gummed tape serving device, means forreceiving a roll of gummed tape, a tape supportingvtable comprising an integral arcuate extension, said table having a slot therein, tape feeding means extendng through said slot, said extension serving to form a path for the tape from the source of tape supply, means for pressing the tape into engagement with said tape feeding means`A means for moistening said tape adjacent said.

feeding device, and cutter means adapted to sever the moistened from the unmoistened l source of tape supply, a moistening unit,

means to feed the tape through the machine, a smooth surfaced open guide for the tape,

a npivoted flattening plate for preventing buckling of the tape as it passes to the lmoistening unit from the feeding means, and means to sever the severed tape.-

15. In a tape serving device a path for the tape thru the machine, tractional tape feeding means adapted to engage the tape by contact solely vvithsubstantially a single point thereon adjacent the middle portion of the same, said means operating to center`and project the tape thru the machine and means for moistening the tape.

16. In a tape serving device a path for the i tape'thru' the machine, a rotatable thin disc j ournaled in the machine adapted to have its periphery engage the tape at its middle portion to center and project the same from the machine, means for moistening the tape and means for severing the tape as desired.

17. In a tape serving device a path for the tape thru 'the machine, a rotatable thin disc of light wei ht journaled in .the machine,

and means for forcing the middle portion of the tape into engagement with the periphery of said disc, means for rotating said disc to feed the tape, means for moistening the tape and means for severing thesame as desired.

18. In a tape serving device, a path for the tape thru the machine, means for feeding the l tape thru the machine, said means comprising at its middle portion to center and project j the tape from the machine, means for moistening the tape and means for severing. the same as desired.

19. In a tape serving device, an unguided path for the tape through the machine, means journaled in the machine and adapted to engage and feed the tape through the same, and means for forcing the middle ortion of the tape into engagement with sai last mentioned means to center the tape during the feeding operation, means for moistening the tape and means for severing the same as desired. y

20. In a tape serving device an unguided path for the tape through the machine, means for feeding the tape through the machine, and a roller adapted to engage a single point only of said tape and force the middle portion of the tape into Contact with said means, means for moistening the tape and means for severing it as desired. c

21. In a gummed tape serving machine a frame, a tape receiving table supported by said frame, a moistening device comprising a brush adapted -to contact with the gummed surface of the tape, a pivoted plate adapted to bear against the tape to force the same into .engagement with said brush and means forguiding the tape between said brush and said plate, said means comprising a flange secured to the frame and lying directly 1n the path of the tape.

22. I-n a gummed tape serving devicel a frame, a tape receiving table supported on said frame', a moistening device comprising a brush adapted to bear uniformly against the gummed surface of the tape to moisten the same, means for pressing the tape into engagement with said brush, means for feeding the tape through the machine to the moistening device and an inclined flange secured to the frame adjacent said brush for directing the tape on to the same.

23. In a gummedtape serving machine a source of tape supply, a moistening unit, means tofeed the tape thru the machinega smooth surfaced open guide for the tape, a pivoted flattening plate for preventing buckling of the tape as it passes through the moistenlng unit, said plate being further adapted to be raised to facilitate cleaning and rethreading of the tape through the machine and means to sever the severed tape.

24. In a gummed tape serving machine, a

source of tape supply, a brush moistening element, a pivoted pressure plate cooperating with said brush to force said tape in contact y which t e tape is fed, a tape cutter and ak tape moistening device and means to feed the tape over said table comprising a knurled disc,

ratchet means for rotating said disc in one Y direction, a lever for operating said ratchet and adjustable means for limiting the stroke of said lever.

26. In a tape serving machine of the type n described, a tape roll support, a table over which Ithe tape is fed, a tape cutter and a tape moistening device and means to feed the tape over said ratchet means for rotating said disc in one direction, a. lever for operating said ratchet and adjustable means for limiting the return stroke of said lever. f

27. In a tape serving machine of the type 31. In a tape serving device a path for the tape through the machine, a tape roll cradle, a rotatable thin disc journaled in' the machine adapted to have its periphery engage the tape at its middle portion to center and project the same from the machine, means to press the tape against said disc, side plates adjustable in said cradle to center the tape roll therein, means for moistening the tape and means for severing the tape as desired.

In testimony whereof I have afxed my signature to this specification. B

'THEODORE H. KRUEGER.

table comprising a knurled disc,

described, a tape roll support; a table over which the tape is fed, a tape cutter and a tape moistening device, tractional means to feed the tape over'said table and means extending upward from the table adapted to guide the tape over the same.

28. described, a tape roll support, a table over whichthe tape is fed, a'tape cutter and a tape moistening device, means to feed the tape over said table comprising a knurled feeding disc, ratchet means for rotating said disk in one direction, a lever for operating said ratchet means, adjustable means for limiting the movement of 'said lever and means extend- .ing 'upward from the table adapte to contact with the edges of the tape to gui e the same on tosaid feedingmeans.

29. In atape serving machine of the type described, a tape'cutter and a tape moistening device,-means to feed the tape over said table comprising a` knurled feeding disc, ratchet means for rotating said disc in one direction, a

springu return lever for operating said ratchet means and an adjustable pin for limiting the y movement of said lever.

30.. In a ta e serving machine of the type described, a

rame including a tape roll support and a table over which the tape is fed;

a tape cutter and a `tapemoistening device,

. means to feed the tape over said table, ratchet means for operating said .feeding'meana a lever for-operating said ratchet and an adj ustable pin movab e on the frame forlimiting the return movement of-th'e lever, and means extending upwardly from the table adapted to engage the edges of the tape to guide .the same on /to said feeding means.

In a tape serving machine of the type 

